Company registration number: 00997644
COMPANY INFORMATION
CONTENTS
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The principal activity of the Group during the year was that of importing, exporting and distributing stationery and related products.
Although 2024/25 was another challenging year, we saw significant growth in Wholesale and Internet. Our traditional retail business delivered strong growth as did our export business to Ireland and E- Commerce continues to improve.
Supply chain disruption has eased although inflationary costs had a significant impact across our business.
The relative strength of GBP against several key currencies enabled us to improve our gross margins.
The Group remained profitable with a profit of £527,994 (2024: £354,665) and sales were consistent with the prior year £8,559,157 (2024: £8,534,647). The Group's balance sheet remains strong with a net asset balance of £8,533,863 (2024: £8,075,518) and a cash balance of £4,801,244 (2024: £4,220,727), providing funds available to sustain future growth.
Supply chain disruption has eased although inflationary costs had a significant impact across our business.
The relative strength of GBP against several key currencies enabled us to improve our gross margins.
The Group remained profitable with a profit of £527,994 (2024: £354,665) and sales were consistent with the prior year £8,559,157 (2024: £8,534,647). The Group's balance sheet remains strong with a net asset balance of £8,533,863 (2024: £8,075,518) and a cash balance of £4,801,244 (2024: £4,220,727), providing funds available to sustain future growth.
The Company structure and operation is set up in the most appropriate way to manage day to day business activities and risks, with regular reporting to the parent company.
There will be several risks to the Company in the next year:
There will be several risks to the Company in the next year:
∙War, military conflict and economic uncertainty could negatively impact on consumer confidence, sales and our supply chain.
∙Mergers, acquisitions and the financial stability of our major customers could also affect sales.
∙Unauthorised sellers of grey imports on e-commerce platforms using Pentel logo.
Our sales grew by 0.3% compared to the previous financial year, in an economic environment that saw the traditional B2B office products market decline by 9% with B2C remaining steady. In 2025/26 we anticipate sales growth in all domestic sectors.
We saw an improvement in our gross margin (GP%) by 1.2 percentage points, this improvement was delivered by tight stock controls, selling prices together with reduced cost of goods.
Improvements to our forecasting and supply chain processes will ensure that our OTIF delivery performance, already very good continues to improve towards our target of 98%.
We saw an improvement in our gross margin (GP%) by 1.2 percentage points, this improvement was delivered by tight stock controls, selling prices together with reduced cost of goods.
Improvements to our forecasting and supply chain processes will ensure that our OTIF delivery performance, already very good continues to improve towards our target of 98%.
Our plan for 2025/26 is to grow sales by 10% based on 2024/25 results. We have an ongoing programme of new product launches and promotions planned for the next 12 months, focussing on our key products areas: EnerGel rollerballs, Markers and Art & Craft product.
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GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The directors are responsible for preparing the Group Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the consolidated financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies for the Group's financial statements and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and the Group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The profit for the year, after taxation, amounted to £527,994 (2024 - £354,665).
The directors have recommended and paid a dividend of £68,701 during the year (2023: £58,701).
The directors who served during the year, with exceptions noted below were:
Hideki Hayama
Junichi Ishigaki
Hideki Hayama
Junichi Ishigaki
Disclosure of information in the strategic report
In accordance with section 414C(11) of the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 the Strategic Report preceding the Directors' Report includes information that would have formerly been included in the financial instruments and future development sections of the Directors' Report.
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DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The auditor, Menzies LLP, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PENTEL (STATIONERY) LIMITED
We have audited the financial statements of Pentel (Stationery) Limited (the 'parent Company') and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Company Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's or the parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditor's Report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PENTEL (STATIONERY) LIMITED (CONTINUED)
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
∙the information given in the Group Strategic Report and the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
∙the Group Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the parent Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Group Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PENTEL (STATIONERY) LIMITED (CONTINUED)
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor's Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these Group financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
The Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant including:
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
∙The Companies Act 2006;
∙Financial Reporting Standard 102;
∙UK employment legislation;
∙General Data Protection Regulations; and
∙UK tax legislation.
South Africa
∙Basic Conditions of Employment Act 1997;
∙Labour Relations Act 1995;
∙South African Companies Act 2008; and
∙South African tax legislation.
We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statements items.
We understood how the Group is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by, making inquiries to management, those reponsible for legal and compliance procedures and the company secretary.
The engagement partner assessed whether the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The assessment did not identify any issues in this area.
We assessed the susceptibility of the Group financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
∙identifying and assessing the measures management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;
∙understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;
∙challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates; and
∙identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations.
As a result of the above procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified potential for fraud in the following areas:
∙The application of inappropriate judgements or estimation to manipulate the financial position in the calculation of the year end provisions; or
∙Posting of unusual journals and complex transactions.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF PENTEL (STATIONERY) LIMITED (CONTINUED)
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditor's Report.
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
for and on behalf of
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Floor 4
95 Gresham Street
City of London
EC2V 7AB
8 May 2025
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:
The notes on pages 17 to 30 form part of these financial statements.
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COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:
The notes on pages 17 to 30 form part of these financial statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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CONSOLIDATED ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Pentel (Stationery) Limited is a private company, limited by shares, incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006. The address of the registered office and principal place of business is given on the company information page. The principal activity of the company and the nature of its operations are set out in the Strategic Report on page 1.
2.Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.
The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires Group management to exercise judgement in applying the Group's accounting policies.
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of Comprehensive Income in these financial statements.
The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by the FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland":
∙the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
∙the requirements of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3,18 (d)
∙the requirements of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7.
The information is included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
The consolidated financial statements present the results of the Company and its own subsidiaries ("the Group") as if they form a single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between group companies are therefore eliminated in full.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the purchase method. In the Statement of Financial Position, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income from the date on which control is obtained. They are deconsolidated from the date control ceases.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the purchase method. In the Statement of Financial Position, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income from the date on which control is obtained. They are deconsolidated from the date control ceases.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Significant judgements
The directors have made no key judgements (apart from those involving estimations) in the process of applying the entity's accounting policies.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future and, by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. The key assumptions and other sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:
Impairment of Inventories
Management include impairment provisions based on how long the stock has been held and appropriate percentages are then applied accordingly. This is reviewed by assessing the average stock life on hand considering factors such as shelf life, seasonal trends, product termination and customer demand are factors used when determining the provision. Where an item of stock no longer possesses any functional capabilities it is fully written off.
Impairment of Trade Receivables
Management include impairment provisions against irrecoverable debts based on their best estimate on the amounts that will be recovered. These estimates take into account historic recoverability and external economic factors when determining the provision which includes an element of uncertainty.
Significant judgements
The directors have made no key judgements (apart from those involving estimations) in the process of applying the entity's accounting policies.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future and, by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. The key assumptions and other sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:
Impairment of Inventories
Management include impairment provisions based on how long the stock has been held and appropriate percentages are then applied accordingly. This is reviewed by assessing the average stock life on hand considering factors such as shelf life, seasonal trends, product termination and customer demand are factors used when determining the provision. Where an item of stock no longer possesses any functional capabilities it is fully written off.
Impairment of Trade Receivables
Management include impairment provisions against irrecoverable debts based on their best estimate on the amounts that will be recovered. These estimates take into account historic recoverability and external economic factors when determining the provision which includes an element of uncertainty.
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods supplied and
services rendered, net of discounts and Value Added Tax.
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and reward of ownership have transferred to the buyer (usually on despatch of the goods), the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the associated economic benefits will flow to the entity, and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transactions can be measured reliably.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Functional and presentation currency
Transactions and balances
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.
No depreciation is provided in respect of freehold land.
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value, being the estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a first in, first out basis.
At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stock is impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.
At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stock is impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
The Group only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in ordinary shares.
For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. If a financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract.
For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and best estimate of the recoverable amount, which is an approximation of the amount that the Group would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.
For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. If a financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract.
For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and best estimate of the recoverable amount, which is an approximation of the amount that the Group would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.
Analysis of turnover by country of destination:
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
10.Taxation (continued)
The Group and parent Company have unused tax losses of £600,690 (2024: £638,817).
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
12.Tangible fixed assets (continued)
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Profit and loss account
This reserve records retained earnings and accumulated losses.
This reserve records retained earnings and accumulated losses.
These accounts are not included in consolidated accounts higher up in the group.
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